The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc
The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Rockville, Maryland, established in 2000. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) exempt private foundation and focuses its philanthropic efforts on Jewish causes and education, with particular emphasis on supporting organizations in Maryland, Washington D.C., New York, and Israel.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.1M
-9.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+3.8% YoY
Grant Count
110
-2.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
+6.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $205K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports education and Jewish causes with a laser-focused approach to grantmaking. Primary funding areas include:
- Jewish education and institutions
- Jewish cultural programs and arts
- Temples and Jewish community organizations
- K-12 schools and charter schools
- Human services
The foundation has also supported research into rare genetic disorders, including Gaucher disease research in the United States and Israel.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or letters of intent. Prospective grantees must pursue funding through networking and personal connections.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes funding in:
- Maryland
- Washington D.C.
- New York (particularly the New York City area)
- Israel
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total assets: $4,050,028
- Total giving: $1,590,061
- Total revenues: $1,194,000
- Total expenses: $1,621,285
- Number of employees: 0
Revenue Composition (2024):
- Total grants and contributions: $1,005,650
- Investment income and dividends: $188,350
Year-over-Year Changes (2024 vs. 2023):
- Grants and contributions decreased 44.1%
- Investment income increased 279.4%
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,050,028 | $4,477,313 | $4,163,952 |
| Revenue | $1,194,000 | $1,849,644 | $3,018,706 |
| Expenses | $1,621,285 | $1,541,746 | $1,723,673 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,590,061 | $1,531,593 | $1,713,833 |
| Net Investment Income | $157,126 | $39,491 | $8,866 |
| Distributable Amount | $205,482 | $241,485 | $145,904 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Chabad Shul ($88,000), Chabad of Rockville ($28,000), Beth Medrash Govoha ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AISH HATORAH LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE | $3,000 |
| AISH HATORAH OF GREATER WASHINGTON ROCKVILLE, MD | CHARITABLE | $16,000 |
| AISHCOM CLIFTON, NJ | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| ALEF BET MONTESSORI SCHOOL N BETHESDA, MD | CHARITABLE | $1,800 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ALYN HOSPITAL NEW YORK, NY | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF LUBAVITCH WASHINGTON, DC | CHARITABLE | $5,400 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF RABBI SCHURTA HERITAGE HOURS RICHMOND HILL, NY | CHARITABLE | $2,300 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT LEV HATORAH TEANECK, NJ | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| AOPA FOUNDATION FREDERICK, MD | CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| ASCENT OF SAFED WOODBURY, NY | CHARITABLE | $4,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Dennis Berman founded and leads the foundation. He is a Cornell University graduate with degrees in electrical engineering and an MBA in finance. Berman joined his family's business, Berman Enterprises, in the 1970s. The foundation operates as a family affair with no additional staff listed on tax filings.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENNIS BERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY BERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIAN BERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LARRY BORMEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports education and Jewish causes with a laser-focused approach to grantmaking. Primary funding areas include: • Jewish education and institutions • Jewish cultural programs and arts • Temples and Jewish community organizations • K-12 schools and charter schools • Human services The foundation has also supported research into rare genetic disorders, including Gaucher disease research in the United States and Israel.
How do I apply for a grant from The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 445 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $1,590,061 • Typical grant awards range from $500 to $385,158 **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Melvin J Berman Hebrew Academy: $160,496 • Israel Friends Ukraine Friends: $125,000 • Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (JFGW): $100,000 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or letters of intent. Prospective grantees must pursue funding through networking and personal con…
Where does The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation prioritizes funding in: • Maryland • Washington D.C. • New York (particularly the New York City area) • Israel
What size grants does The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc awarded 110 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $205K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Dennis Berman Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1684732. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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